E D U C AT I O N a d vertising feat u re
Meet the teacher Find out more about the people in charge at your child’s present, or future, school
Emma Thornton
Blundell’s Preparatory School 01884 252393 www.blundell’s.org What was your favourite subject at school? English – I loved getting lost in a good book and using my imagination during creative writing to think of my own stories. Now as a nursery teacher, I can bring the characters alive and encourage the children to act out their favourite tales. What does your school offer that others don’t? What sets Blundell’s apart is the sense of family and community within an ethos that encourages children to build confidence and develop strength of character. What do you enjoy most about teaching? There is such excitement when a child makes a discovery, or their faces light up when they solve a problem or understand a new concept. I feel a real sense of pride helping these little people learn to navigate their world. Describe your teaching style Working with young children can be challenging and activities need to be fun and engaging and, most often, very practical. A little Chinese proverb sums it up quite well – I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand.
Tim Harris
Colyton Grammar School www.colytongrammar.devon. sch.uk What was your favourite subject at school and why? History. The teacher was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. He brought the subject alive and made it relevant to my life at that time. Inspirational and exemplary teaching. What does your school offer that others don’t? Teaching and learning is focussed on meeting the needs of the most able learners. What do you enjoy most about teaching? Helping young people to obtain some of their goals in life. Describe your teaching style? Enabling and informative. What are the qualities of an excellent teacher? Someone who possesses excellent subject knowledge and emotional intelligence. What advice would you give your 10 year old self? Have confidence in yourself, work hard and don’t fear failure. What are your views on homework? Research suggests that appropriately set homework is beneficial to learning. Quality not quantity is the key.
70 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Ross Bovingdon
St Wilfrid’s School 01392 276171 www.stwilfrids.devon.sch.uk What does your school offer that others don’t? The atmosphere in which our pupils work ensures stability and happiness so that all may progress and attain their full potential. Relationships are good, behaviour is excellent and discipline problems virtually unknown. What distinguishes us from many other schools is our ability to develop our pupils’ global needs – not just their academic achievements. Our “whole-school” approach ensures that our pupils receive a consistent and coordinated education aimed at unlocking the full potential of each child by creating a school day that is motivating and purposeful. We underpin learning with rich experiences and as many “hands-on” opportunities as possible, both within the school day and, in the wider community, through off- site visits. It is my vision that, by the time they leave St Wilfrid’s School all of our pupils will have acquired a sense of personal achievement, raised confidence and self-esteem and a positive attitude towards their future life and learning.
Lizzy Glanvill
Head of EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) St. Peter’s Prep School 01395 272148 www.stpetersprep.co.uk What does your school offer that others don’t? St Peter’s is unique in its beautiful location; set up on a hill in 28 acres of woods and playing fields. French, music and sport are taught by specialists from Early Years onwards. The children in Early Years also attend weekly Wild Woods and Beach School sessions. Further up the school our complete (24 hour) wraparound care allows for enormous flexibility for working parents. What do you most enjoy about teaching? It is a real privilege to see each of the children develop in their own unique way. Having small classes means that we can build really strong relationships with each child and the learning can be highly differentiated. Each child learns to read on a 1:1 basis every day following our own St Peter’s Reading Journey.